Sour Grapes

Poor, sad Republicans. They lost, and they look like they have a mouthful of sour grapes.

Some have turned off the news and tuned out of politics completely to avoid being depressed. Others have set their sights on 2016, with an unspoken, “there’s no hope for the next four years… maybe it will pass quickly… let’s just hope the damage isn’t too bad”.

(I’m not trying to pick on the Republicans. I had even more Democratic friends posting on Facebook that they would be in tears, of joy or sorrow, when the results came in.)

So, dear friends, those who are disappointed and those who could have been disappointed, with the 2012 election results, thinking “What will become of our children?”… and …

“The parents have eaten sour grapes, but their children’s mouths pucker at the taste.”

Why do you quote this proverb concerning the land?

As surely as I live, says the Sovereign LORD, you will not quote this proverb anymore. For all the people are mine to judge – both parents and children alike. And this is my rule: The person who sins is the one who will die.

(If you’re totally confused by this proverb, from Ezekiel 18, PLEASE take the time to read this. I promise to keep this concise.)

Suppose a certain man is righteous and does what is right…. and is faithful to obey my decrees… Anyone who does these things is just and will surely live, says the Sovereign LORD.

But suppose that man has a son who grows up to be a robber or murderer and refuses to do what is right…. does evil… worships idols… commits adultery, oppresses the poor… Should such a person live? No! He must die and must take full blame.

But suppose that sinful son, in turn, has a son who sees his father’s wickedness and decides against that kind of life… refuses to worship idols… does not commit adultery… is fair… gives food to the hungry and provides clothes for the needy… helps the poor …

‘Doesn’t the child pay for the parent’s sins?’ NO! For if the child does what is just and right and keeps my decrees, that child will surely live…

Even in the Old Testament, before the fulness of grace had come, we have these words of a merciful God…

Do you think that I like to see wicked people die? says the Sovereign LORD. Of course not! I want them to turn from their wicked ways and live.

If wicked people turn away from all their sins… and do what is just and right,… their past sins will be forgotten, and they will live…

However, if righteous people turn from their righteous behavior and start doing sinful things… all their righteous acts will be forgotten, and they will die for their sins.

…You say, “The Lord isn’t doing what is right!” O people…, it is you who are not doing what’s right, not I.

I love these last verses!

Put all your rebellion behind you, and find yourselves a new heart and a new spirit. For why should you die, O people…? I don’t what you to die, says the Sovereign LORD Turn back and live!

There isALWAYS hope for us and for our children!

I am thankful for the election results. Not only because I’ve learned to give thanks in everything, but because I think that a Republican win would have been a pacifier for the church. Romney could not meeting our real need, our nation’s soul hunger.

We cannot blame anyone for the condition of our nation any more than our children should blame us. We and they must soberly take responsibility.

Instead of posting red and blue maps of post election results by county and being angry that the cities are “godless” and “immoral”, recognize that the cities are our mission field. Too many of us look at the city as our grandparents looked at Africa. “Lord, I’ll go anywhere for you. Just don’t send me to THE CITY.”

I am amazed how many Christians talk about, pray for, send money to, and even go the mission fields of Africa! It is a wonderful thing! But, maybe we should also look to a closer field that is ripe for harvest that is even more “foreign” to us: our cities.

So, what are you going to do for the next for years? (My last post Sunrise / Sunset sums up what I’m going to do.)

Lord, reawaken our hearts for HOME MISSIONS! Let us bring hope, light, and truth to the rich and poor of New York, Chicago, Miami, Philadelphia, Las Vegas, Las Angeles, and all the major cities of America. Amen.